Only A Court Order Can Stop Us – PPP

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) appears determined to embark on its planned anti-graft demonstration.

The party says only a court order can stop them from hitting the streets in protest against it describes as the endemic corruption situation in the country.

According to them, the constitution of Ghana gives them the right to embark on any demonstration; thus nothing can deter them from going on a protest march.

However, “We are a law abiding party and so if they go to court and whatever, is the ruling, we will abide by it” said the party’s National Chairman, Nii Allotey Brew Hammond in an interview on ‘Kokrokoo’, Monday.

Nii Allotey’s reaction follows on the heels of a strong indication from the Ghana Police Service that they will stop them (PPP) from embarking on their demonstration at all cost.

Speaking in an interview on the same platform, DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, Greater Accra Police Commander, said some of their personnel are still on assignment even though the Supreme Court has already adjudicated on the election petition suit.

It would be recalled that the Police Service placed a ban on public events and demonstrations until the the final determination of the 2012 Election Petition by the Supreme Court.

Thus, it was the expectation of all that since the final ruling has been delivered, the doors are now opened for various groups to embark on demonstrations (if they want).

However, DCOP Yohuno told Kwami Sefa-Kayi that strategically; “we have before the Supreme Court ruling, during the Supreme Court ruling and After the Supreme Court ruling” hence some police officials are still at post.

He said if PPP still insists on embarking on their demonstration “We have the right to go to court to restrain them.”

According to Mr Brew Hammond, they are under the impression that the Ghana Police Service is deliberately preventing them; hence they will only put a hold on it (demonstration) if there is a court order.